Who Is At Risk of Hyperactivity?

Since the cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is still largely unknown, it’s important to be aware of risk factors that are more easily pinned down. While you won’t always discover the cause of something, you can determine correlative factors—things that tend to occur at the same time as ADHD. Ultimately, scientists suspect the cause of ADHD to have something to do with something that occurs during crucial developmental periods of the brain and central nervous system. Thus, certain environmental factors can increase the chances of developing ADHD.

Mothers who drink alcohol or use tobacco are more likely to have children with ADHD. Likewise, pregnant mothers who come into contact with environmental toxins like lead may end up with a child who suffers from ADHD. Children who come into contact with these toxins during early childhood may also wind up with the same problem. Additionally, brain injuries, low birthweight, and premature birth may influence the development. Family genetics have an enormous impact as well. Parents with ADD/ADHD are more likely than non-ADHD parents to have children with ADHD. Additionally boys are more likely than girls to have the disorder.